Social Firm, MillRace IT, is among several partners in the “Essex UnITe” project that has been awarded a grant of £428,141 by Big Lottery’s “Reaching Communities” programme. Essex UnITe aims to introduce computers and the internet to older people across Essex through community workshops, and to deliver training to people in supported and sheltered accommodation.
The Essex UnITe partners are MillRace IT, Age UK, Age Concern Essex, Essex County Council, Genesis Housing and Chelmer Housing Partnership. The lottery grant will fund: • community workshops and roadshows across the County for over 8000 older people; • IT skills training and broadband access at 35 sheltered/supported housing schemes • development of community and social networking websites and virtual village halls for older people.
Richard Huckett, Social Enterprise Director of MillRace IT, said, “I am delighted that MillRace IT will be one of the project partners working to enhance the health and well-being of older people in Essex and to help reduce the sense of isolation that many of them feel. We have a lot of experience working in this field, and the size of the Big Lottery grant shows their faith in us to carry out the IT equipment and training delivery element of this large and important project to an excellent standard. As a Social Firm ourselves, we are in operation to provide employment for disadvantaged people and this project will provide our own employees with important, fulfilling work.”